Steam's XCOM: Enemy Unknown Page is now accepting pre-purchases of Firaxis' upcoming continuation of the X-COM series of counter-UFO strategy games, which includes an unusual program that offers customers increasing levels of rewards as more of them commit in advance of the game's release next month. The page also now offers a demo of the game playable through Steam. This announcement has more details on pre-purchase incentives and a special edition of the game at some retailers, as well as the following explanation of what to expect from the demo:

Gamers who download the demo will be guided through two levels of the single-player tutorial campaign, experiencing the combat controls and effective tactics for defending humanity against the alien threat. The two tutorial missions will also introduce players to the XCOM base, where soldier training and researching alien technology takes place, and offers a chance to experience the tactical and strategic layers of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The XCOM: Enemy Unknown playable demo will be available soon for console gamers.

RollinThundr wrote on Sep 24, 2012, 20:05:These people that won't buy anything new at full price, especially titles that are worthy of paying full price for, I often wonder what kind of hardware they have in their machines since a good video card is far from cheap. Not only that but don't you people actually want to support devs that make games that you enjoy? No wonder publishers don't take chances and just pump out sequels and me too copy cat titles of whatever big title is currently the hot game.

Especially in the case of Xcom being only 50 when most titles are 60 out of the gate these days.

I buy plenty of stuff at full price - and overpriced to boot - generally just not games but most games aren't worth it IMO. I'm not cheap, I just expect good value relative to what I buy as does everyone else. I dropped $63 on a bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon last week and didn't blink and eye doing it. And whilst it was overpriced it was entirely worth it. If I can save 8 bucks on a game and apply that to something else I'm damn sure going to and so will most other people.

"There are two kinds of people in this world; people who love delis, and people you shouldn’t associate with.” - Damon Runyan